Beyond the Norm-Mel

Happy St. Paddy's Day

There are very few holidays I don't enjoy. And for some reason I rank St. Patrick's Day right up there among the best of the best holidays around.

I think that is something I get from my dad. If my dad has any Irish in him at all, I don't know about it, but my family always celebrates St. Patrick's Day.

Usually on, or around, the 17th of March the Brownings and guests who have joined in on the family tradition feast on corned beef, cabbage and baby red potatoes. I'm sure there are other Irish foods that can be made to celebrate St. Patrick's Day, but my family chooses to serve the simmered beef dish.

I'm not really sure how the tradition began other than my dad likes corned beef and it's the only time of the year my mom will let him cook it.

However the annual corned beef and cabbage dinner got started, it has become a tradition I enjoy and something I have introduced to my fiancé.

Even when I was living in Oregon away from my family I celebrated St. Patrick's Day with corned beef and cabbage.

I admit I didn't think through the meal thoroughly. I went out and picked out a nice brisket (they come with spices to make corned beef), a head of cabbage and potatoes for a shindig for myself and friends.

Unfortunately, I made corned beef and cabbage for a bunch of vegetarians. They didn't appreciate the festivity, but they were good sports.

Tonight is the annual family feast and I am ready to partake of the food.

But besides the food, St. Patrick's Day is also a time green is sprinkled throughout a wardrobe.

Yesterday, I was at the Grandview Senior Center St. Patrick's Day Party and nearly everyone was wearing a touch of the color.

It's a great color! It's the first color of spring. Before we see the blooms of spring we are given a preview, if you will, in the leaves and foliage of what is yet to come. It's very dramatic and in my yard it builds suspense, because I can't remember where I planted everything.

It's a fun time of year and St. Patrick's Day is a great reason to break out of the winter shell and get out to experience life.